It reproduces by seed; it produces many seeds that accumulate in numerous seed banks and remain viable in the ground for many years. The seeds are dispersed by animals, mainly birds, ants and small vertebrates. Germination is stimulated by fire.

Controlling an invasive species demands a well-planned management, which includes the determination of the invaded area, identifying the causes of invasion, assessing the impacts, defining the intervention priorities, selecting the adequate control methodologies and their application. Afterwards it is fundamental to monitor the efficiency of the methodologies and recuperation of the intervened area as to perform, whenever necessary, the follow-up control.

The control methodologies used for Acacia cyclops include:

Physical control

Hand pulling: preferential methodology for seedlings and small plants. In compacted substrates, hand pulling should be made during the rainy season as to facilitate the removal of the root system.

Cutting: preferential methodology for adult plants. Cut should be made as close to the ground as possible by using manual and/or mechanical equipment. It should be done before seed maturation.

Biological control

The weevil Melanterius servulus Pascoe (Coleoptera: Curcullonidae), that causes the destruction has been used, since 1991, very successfully in the control of Acacia cyclops in South Africa.

The wasp Dasineura dielsi Rübsaamen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), used since 2002, has also had considerable results in controlling A. cyclops in South Africa. This species forms galls in the floral shoots of A. cyclops inhibiting seed formation.

These agents have not yet been tested in Portugal as to verify their harmlessness to native species, so its use is not yet an option in our country.

Prescribed fire

It may be strategically used to favour germination of the seed bank, e.g., after the control of adult individuals (with the adequate management of the resulting biomass) and the subsequent elimination of seedlings. This method provides an advantageous reduction of the seed bank, both by destroying part of the seeds or by stimulating the germination of the remainders.

Visit the webpage How to Control for additional and more detailed information about the correct application of these methodologies.

Invasive Plants

Many ecosystems in Portugal are deeply affected by invasive species, either animal or plants. This means considerable economical losses, huge impacts on biodiversity, changes in the ecosystems services and even public health issues.

Our goal is to explain this problem, educating not only the common citizen but also specialized technicians to recognize and control invasive species.